Lyndon B. Johnson Quotes

I am completely in favour of dialogue and engagement. But it must be a true, open dialogue.

Costa Rica believes in building bridges, in looking for solutions to problems, and not clinging to positions.

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress.

Negotiations can create conditions that can lead to solutions.

Conflict resolution cannot be merely about eliminating all opposition or reducing the choices in negotiating the problem to two mutually exclusive sets of rights and wrongs. Rather, it must consist of laboring to bring everybody to accept reality and then to project a future with this understanding as the foundation.

If we can’t agree on the facts, how can we agree on the solutions?

You need people that are willing to talk to the other side, or you're never going to get anything done. You need to be willing to expand your ground. There's always usually a place on issues where you can find common ground.

The best way to promote and protect opportunity is through collaboration, consensus-building, and pragmatic problem-solving. Throughout nearly 30 years in public service, I have approached tough challenges by making room for as many people as possible around the table in search of common ground.

When people realize they're being heard, and have a seat at the table, things seem to work out.

I believe the answers to most problems that confront us around the world can and should be approached by engaging both friend and foe in dialogue. No, I don't naively think that dialogue always works, but I believe we should avoid the rigidity of saying that dialogue never works.

I have been fortunate to collaborate with people who have been open to discussion. If I tell them something, they have always explained to me why they want it the other way.

It's a simple exercise; a little logic, a little taste, and the will to cooperate.

I am most heartened when I'm talking to a team when they're reasoning to each other.

We come to reason, not to dominate. We do not seek to have our way, but to find a common way.

When we face problems or disagreements today, we have to arrive at solutions through dialogue. Dialogue is the only appropriate method. One-sided victory is no longer acceptable. We must work to resolve conflicts in a spirit of reconciliation and always keep in mind the interests of others.

Surely, serious problems can't be solved just by talking about them.

You've got to reach a hand of friendship across the aisle and across philosophies in this country.

Nebraskans have very strong opinions, but we sit down around a table and we solve our problems.

If the auto plants in Detroit would just sit around the table and say, 'What do we gotta do to make this thing work?' Instead of, 'I want this and I want that.' They might make it.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.

Debate is so much better than denial.

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. You don't have that idea when you are arrogant, superficial, and uninformed.

I have always believed in dialogue and in nonviolence, and if you look at my background you will see that it has always been my policy to talk to everyone.

I feel very strongly that you can't just beat people up anymore; you have to work hand in hand and find ways to compromise, and get big business involved, because it won't happen otherwise.

Unless you are willing to compromise, society cannot live together.